The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) now has a unified hotline number dedicated to accommodating public inquiries, complaints and requests.

In line with its goal of providing better services and making transactions with the Commission easier, the SEC officially launched its hotline number 1-4732, made easy to remember as 1-4SEC.

The hotline will cater to public concerns related to registration, reportorial requirements, follow-ups on submissions or filings, system walkthroughs, general inquiries, and other frontline service needs.

“One of the clear messages we’re getting from the business sector is the need for a more accessible SEC. With the hotline, we hope to reduce instances of busy lines and drop calls, and offer quality and real-time assistance to the public,” SEC Chairperson Francis Lim said.

He added that, “The new hotline provides a direct, convenient channel for companies to reach the Commission, reinforcing our commitment to improve service delivery.”

Currently, the Commission operates the SEC Contact Center, which handles an average of 800 to 900 calls daily. Notwithstanding this, direct contact numbers of various SEC offices, departments, divisions, and units remain posted on the SEC website and continue to receive calls.

While the number of these direct lines has already been reduced as part of ongoing streamlining efforts, they are scheduled for full removal to establish 1-4SEC as the Commission’s primary public hotline.

Under this arrangement, designated call takers will handle inquiries, requests, and concerns, with a warm transfer mechanism in place to ensure that calls are properly routed to the appropriate offices when necessary.

“By providing smoother transactions to the public through 1-4SEC, we hope to strengthen the public’s trust and confidence in our systems, and encourage them to participate in the corporate sector and capital markets to contribute to the country’s overall economic growth,” Lim said.-James A. Loyola